Vet Hansel answers your questions about pet care in this weekly advice column, created in partnership with the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA). We will also be highlighting each week some of the animals in the BSPCA sanctuary, in the hope of finding each of them a loving home.
Question: My cat, Santino, has been using his litter box frequently and seems to have diarrhoea. What is causing this?
Answer: Diarrhoea in cats is not a disease but a sign that something is wrong with your pet’s health.
If your cat is well and eating, drinking sufficient amounts of water, playing and generally looking well with no other symptoms other than a loose bowel motion every so often, then there is probably no cause for immediate alarm.
The could be due to a change in diet, or an increase in dairy products such as milk.
Cats should never be given cow’s milk as most felines have a lactose intolerance.
If the diarrhoea is more than an occasional loose bowel motion, then a visit to the vet is a must.
The condition could be caused by food allergies, worm and parasitic infestation, hairballs causing digestion issues and viral or bacterial infections.
Symptoms could include pain, vomiting, blood in the diarrhoea, weight loss, straining when passing stools or anything unusual in the cat’s health or behaviour.
What you feed your cat is also important; cats are carnivores and have certain dietary requirements.
- Dr Hansel Geo is a veterinary consult and surgeon for the BSPCA. Please send questions to bspca@batelco.com.bh
BSPCA’S DOG OF THE WEEK IS WILBERT
Breed: Mixed
Sex: Male
Age: One year and one month
Neutered: Yes
Wilbert is friendly and affectionate and loved by the volunteers. He deserves a happy home with a loving family that will appreciate him for all he is and everything he has to offer. Wilbert is neutered, tick-treated, de-wormed and fully vaccinated.
BSPCA’S CAT OF THE WEEK IS LINKUS
Breed: DLH
Sex: Male
Age: 11 months
Neutered: Yes
Linkus is sweet, playful and very friendly with people and animals. He deserves a comfortable and loving environment where he can spend his time relaxing on peoples’ laps. Linkus is neutered, de-wormed and fully vaccinated.
- If you are interested in adopting Wilbert, Linkus or any of the shelter’s cats, kittens, dogs and puppies, visit the Animal Welfare Centre in Askar. Directions can be found at www.bspca.org.